John Branca has a copy of the King of Pop’s will and is ready to file it. According to TMZ, the Jackson family doesn’t have a copy of the will in attorney John Branca’s possession.
Branca has represented legendary rock and roll acts, as well as independent investors, music publishing catalogs and independent music labels.
He was instrumental in producing and releasing Michael Jackson’s revolutionary Thriller music video. Before Thriller, music videos typically had budgets of $50,000. Jackson spent over $1 million on Thriller. Branca financed it by persuading Showtime to pony up $1.2 million for a “Making of ‘Thriller’” video - the first “making of” video documentary of its kind. In the video, Jackson turns into a werewolf. At the time, Jackson was a Jehovah’s Witness. Prior to Thriller’s release, church elders berated him for promoting demonology in the video. Jackson ordered Branca, who had the sole copy, to destroy it. Desperate, Branca told Jackson that Bela Lugosi, whom Jackson adored, and who played Dracula in the movies, was also religious and had put a disclaimer at the beginning of Dracula stating that he didn’t endorse vampirism. This story was untrue, but it persuaded Jackson to put a similar disclaimer on Thriller, and it was released. In the five days following, the Thriller CD - already out for 1 1/2 years, sold a million copies.
Branca was also the lawyer who arranged for Jackson to make the smartest business move, purchasing The Beatles’ publishing catalog in 1985. He was also instrumental in facillitating the merger of ATV (Jackson’s company) with Sony, creating one of the world’s largest independent music publishers.
Jackson abruptly left Branca in 1990 when record company mogul David Geffen convinced him that Branca exerted too much control over him. Jackson re-hired him three years later, and served as one of Jackson’s representatives on the Board of Sony/ATV. In 2006, Branca resigned as Jackson’s lawyer and sold back his equity interest in Sony/ATV.
Two weeks before he died, Jackson rehired Branca.
Why is this lawyer not releasing the will to Michael Jackson’s family, where it belongs! That is just plain mean! This lawyer should know that Katherine Jackson should be provided with some information or a copy of this will. I cannot believe how insensitve this lawyer is being to Michael’s own mother, whom he loved.
Lawyer, whoever you are in your big huge mansion, give a copy of that will or contact Michael’s mother to give her comfort.
I disagree 100% with you withholding this from his mother. How could you do this, and sleep at night knowing this mother is grieving, and you are withholding all of her answers!
Shame on you, and you give lawyers a bad name.
If you want to reach me, just find me, because you are wrong, and you know it!
What possible reasons could you have to withold information from katerine Jackson? Why are you doing this?
Do the right thing, lawyer. Contact Michael Jackson’s mother! It’s the right thing to do!
I just read the article, and now realize why you are withholding the will. You helped him with purchasing his record collection/sony, and with Thriller.
You are looking for your way in!
Hit the nail right on the head. You are making a case for yourself to be entitled to some money!
OMG - Please put these ridiculious rumors that you have some concrete will to rest! If your last contact with him was 1990 - then why are we even discussing you!
I’ve read the last sentence of the article. He just re-hired you in the last two weeks.
You are not qualified to be making any decisions without the help of katherine jackson.
It is really mean of you to make this woman stumble through all of her son’s affairs while you hold the answers.
I hope the media is wrong again, and you are in contact with Michael’s mother. It’s the right thing for you to do!
I think Mr. Branco should turn over the will to the courts asap, what is he waiting for. He could be robbed. That is the best thing for his safety and the accuracy of the will. And it should be video taped, not so much his worth now but his worth will grow tremondously. And everyone is going to fight for those kids, all the sperm donors, etc.
Please people! Have you read this man’s profile? I mean I was a bit worried too in the beginning, but after reading his bio and all the things that he’s done to help Michael Jackson it is clear his interest in the past was purely professional. He left MJ in 2006. (Allegedly) MJ rehired him recently. In my opinion, he has no need to try and “hide” anything from the Jackson family. To me, he would be a big asset to them. Perhaps, Mr. Branca haven’t contacted the Jackson family out of respect; you know, give them a grieving period. And if you were the only person with a will for one of the biggest stars that existed; you probably would have to consult w/ your own lawyers on how to proceed. That’s a big deal. And right now everything is a big deal and should be taken very slowly (and carefully). I just hope everybody work things out for the good of MJ’s estate and for his children’s welfare. It would be a shame for this to turn into one big nasty, unnecessary fight.
Who was the mystery 911 caller? I find it difficult to believe Michael Jackson would totally omit everyone in his family (except his mom and kids) by turning his legacy, life’s fortune, trust and estate over to John Branca and John Mclain. Why did they take so long to come forth. Is there a more recently edited will anywhere? MJ’s will can be reviewed at aolcdn.com. Pay close attention to the change in handwriting on his initials.
Have you read MJ’s bio? All MJ’s family members are not reliable, including Kat. They just wanted to share MJ’s money, if the content of the bio (by Randy ) is true. MJ rehired J. Branca for two times, proving that he means more to MJ. If only Branca works for MJ solely, MJ will have a different life.
U mustnt care wht happens wth these kids and Katherine I thnk u shouldnt be so mean lke Grace says and I feel u shld smarten up and gve the Will to the rightful person . If I was Katherine whn u gave it to me u wld I wld make sure got in crap wth my lawyer and the judge on this case. You wth the will I feel u r as bad as the ones tht r telling the lies abt Michael and his family. Give the will to Kathrine quit being a goof, she is rightly entitled to it not u.
MICHAEL JACKSON DID NOT TURN TO JOHN BRANCA A WEEK BEFORE HIS DEATH.KATHERINE JACKSON NEEDS TO HIRE ONE OF THE BEST LAWYERS TO BRING THIS GROUP DOWN,MAKE THEM PRESENT A CONTRACT DATED A WEEK BEFORE MJ’S DEATH,HIRE A HANDWRITING EXPERT TO CHECK THE SIGNATURES,ETC’
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/michael_jackson/2009/07/02/2009-07-02_michael_jackson_turned_to_old_friend_and_entertainment_lawyer_john_branca_in_tim.html#ixzz0OruVjTki
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/michael_jackson/2009/07/02/2009-07-02_michael_jackson_turned_to_old_friend_and_entertainment_lawyer_john_branca_in_tim.html#ixzz0OruVjTki